Tom Parker Bowles, the son of the Duchess of Cornwall, signs up with American
Talent Group, which promotes his royal links.

Tom Parker Bowles has always been happy to acknowledge that his success as a food writer is not unconnected to his surname. His latest venture may, however, raise eyebrows.

He has signed up with the American Talent Group to become a “motivational speaker”. The agency, which numbers Mitt Romney and Donald Trump among its highly paid speakers, makes no bones about what Parker Bowles can offer.

“Bowles [sic] is the son of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and the stepson of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales,” it boasts, shamelessly, on its website. “If you would like to book [him] as your next inspirational keynote speaker, contact us for fees and availability.”

Amusingly, the agency mentions on his CV that he was a member of the Piers Gaveston Society, the secret Oxford University dining club notorious for its debauchery.

Craig Oliver's appearance in the BBC newsroom last week sparked feverish speculation that David Cameron’s director of communications might be heading back to the corporation where he was an executive.

Oliver assures Mandrake that it was, though, just a “routine meeting”. Indeed, he was scarcely going out of his way to ingratiate himself with anyone there. “How’s the omnishambles?” one former newsroom colleague inquired. “Rather better than yours,” Oliver replied.